The NHS has announced that the number of people waiting over 18 months for NHS care has fallen more than four fifths since its peak.

Currently 20,101 patients are waiting more than 18 months for elective treatment - compared to 23,969 in September 2021.

The number of people waiting longer than 62 days since their cancer referral has also reduced. Currently 19,027 have been waiting longer than 62 days, compared to 23,874 on 19 Feb and 33,950 on 19 Sep.

NHS national elective recovery director, Sir James Mackey, said: “Despite the impact of industrial action, covid, flu and a very difficult winter, it is clear that the NHS has done an incredible job on reducing the number of patients waiting 18 months for treatment.

“Ahead of the next milestone, these new figures show the remarkable work being done across the country with waits of more than 18 months now down four fifths on their peak, a reduction of over 45% in the last month alone.

“It is testament to the joined-up working across the NHS, with colleagues pulling together and widespread innovative measures being rolled out by trusts, that we have been able to cut the longest waits for patients”.

NHS national cancer director, Dame Cally Palmer, said:  “These new figures out today show the significant progress NHS staff are making in reducing the backlog for patients who are waiting longest, now down 44% from an all-time high of 33,950 last summer – despite record levels of demand.

“Last year over 2.8 million people were checked for cancer and 322,000 started treatment, making it a record year for delivering cancer care – this is good news as it means there is more chance that we are identifying cancers at an earlier stage, when they are easier to treat – this action is  ultimately helping us save lives.

“As ever, the NHS message is come forward if you have health concerns – it could save your life”.